Research Assistant: Youth Policy Team

January 2014

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) is a national non-profit public policy organization that seeks to improve the lives of low-income people. CLASP develops and advocates for federal, state and local policies to strengthen families and create pathways to education and work. CLASP seeks a Research Assistant who will work with a team of policy experts on youth education and employment issues. The team’s work focuses on 1) preventive supports and developmental strategies for low-income youth; 2) pathways for disconnected youth; 3) capacity building in high poverty communities to support youth, and 4) attention to the needs of youth of color. CLASP focuses attention on the magnitude and dimension of the issues facing low-income youth and elevates public will to address the issue at scale. CLASP also analyzes federal and state policies, and produces materials designed to explain the meaning and implications for policymakers, state and local officials, community organizations and service providers. CLASP also engages in coalition-building work to support change for this population of youth. CLASP advances measurable community solutions for organizing and strengthening youth service strategies and systems, and identifies effective practice and opportunities for learning from other communities. In addition, CLASP seeks to inform debate at the national level on these issues.

The Research Assistant will support the work and staff of the Youth Policy Team by working on a range of research projects that will require:

Gathering and analyzing academic research and statistical data;

Conducting extensive web-based research;

Developing written and graphical presentations of research;

Reviewing current literature for new information/issues relevant to the team’s work;

Gathering and catalog articles and other information relevant to specific topic areas and/or communities of interest;

Assisting in the production of policy briefs and reports; and

Writing regular updates for members of our community network.

Duties will also include substantive administrative functions including, but not limited to:

Preparing for and taking notes at special events and meetings;

Setting up audio conference calls and webinars;

Coordinating schedules with external partners for meetings and events;

Maintaining an online database of youth constituents and partners;

Updating CLASP’s youth webpage and microsites;

Communicating with external groups about CLASP’s work; and

Handling travel logistics for team members and meeting participants.

Requirements: Candidates must have strong research, analysis, communication skills and writing/editing skills. Proficiency in Excel, Power Point, website content management systems and HTML is strongly preferred. Experience with Adobe Dreamweaver, InDesign, and Illustrator and statistical analysis software such as SPSS or SAS is preferred, but not required. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to work on multiple detail-oriented tasks, often on a time-sensitive basis, and to prioritize these assignments. Candidates must be able to work autonomously and function as part of a team. CLASP will consider candidates with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and demonstrated interest in low-income policy issues.